Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Wednesday’s card at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections.

Race 1

1st: (3) ANIPPE – speedy mare could not hang on against better company but dropped down to this claiming level last out and went gate to wire. Mike Pappada wins 26% first start after a win and 19% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (2) LA PANDA – horse for the course beat similar two starts back, and when she wasn’t claimed, she came back and beat them again. This is a move up in class for Teresa Connelly, who wins 18% first start after a win.    

3rd: (4) BOURBON BLAST – horse for the course drops down to the bottom off an even long sprint. 

Race 2

1st: (2) WILD LOOKER – hard to put him on top off three straight second-place finishes, but it looks like he has found a group that he can beat. He dropped back early last out and rallied wide and will try them again.

2nd: (6) ULTIMATE BARONESS – horse for the course chased a slow pace going two turns but then came back with a good third against these in a long sprint. 10-year-old mare will be coming hard in the stretch. 

3rd: (3) RICHIES NOBLE GIRL – ran evenly two starts in a row against these, then was outrun when moved up in class. 

Race 3

1st: (4) A CASE OF YOU – dropped down in class for her Tapeta debut here and romped by over four lengths, indicating that she can handle the move back up in class. Kathy Demasi wins 18% first start after a win.  

2nd: (5) REIGERT GIRLS – broke her maiden going six furlongs in her ninth try, then raced evenly when moved up in class. She was a good second last out against this allowance level in fast time and gets Antonio Gallardo back. 

3rd: (1) VOLATILITY – stretches out to two turns for her Tapeta debut, but she’s training on it at Fair Hill.

Race 4

1st: (2) FLEUR DELACOUR – beat state-bred allowance foes going gate to wire, then came back and held on for third against these in very fast time. Kevin Rice wins 21% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 25% with Israel Rodriguez.    

2nd: (5) INTO STARS – was outrun on dirt when blinkers were added, then the daughter of Into Mischief raced evenly. Matt Kintz wins 15% with his synthetic-track starters and 14% second start out of his barn. 

3rd: (1) IMMORTALLOVE – has yet to win here in six tries, but she has some speed ratings that put her in the mix. 

Race 5

1st: (6) ELECTROSTATIC – won going two turns when dropped down to this claiming level three starts back, then just missed as the beaten favorite in his next two sprint starts. Scooter Davis wins 48% first start after being beaten as the favorite.     

2nd: (7) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – ran well against open allowance foes but then did little when he faced them again. He showed some late energy when dropped down in class for Kevin Rice. Addiel Ayala rides back – 19% with Rice. 

3rd: (5) MEROKEE – was a good third in his Tapeta debut here and then won his next two against similar company. 

Race 6

1st: (1) COMBAT HOOFS – ran well on the dirt earlier this year against better but then finished out of the money in her next three starts. She raced wide last out and now drops farther down in class for Tim Girten. 

2nd: (3) VERBAL GEYSER – blossomed when switched to Tapeta in her second career start. She has won three of four here since then and stretches back out to two turns off a fast win going six furlongs. Ron Potts wins 19% first start after a win.   

3rd: (4) GOOGLY EYES – was a decent third going two turns when dropped down to this claiming level. 

Race 7

1st: (2) NINJA STAR – just missed two starts back here going six furlongs, then he came back at two turns and led to the final furlong with first-time Lasix. He draws a perfect inside post, where Israel Rodriguez can use his speed to best advantage.    

2nd: (3) SHY DA RUNNER – finished out of the money in two straight two-turn races here, then turned back to a sprint and just missed. He won going six furlongs last out and gets Pablo Morales back aboard – 30% riding for Girten. 

3rd: (4) TAP THE SKY – moves up in class off two solid route tries for Teresa Connelly. 

Race 8

1st: (8) THIRD CITY – did little in his first two starts here but removed blinkers and was a good second against better maiden claimers. He drops back down for Kevin Rice, who wins 25% with this class move. 

2nd: (7) SOUTH OF BIRIMINHAM – did nothing in his first two career starts, then ran much better here when dropped down to this maiden claiming level. He gets in light with Brooke Bays, who is finishing up her first year of riding strongly. 

3rd: (11) BROMISTA – was a good second two starts back against this level, then was a good third when moved up in class.